O 111651Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO AMEMBASSY DAKAR IMMEDIATE 
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4948
INFO AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY ACCRA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY COTONOU 
AMEMBASSY LOME 
AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 
NSC WASHDC
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION UN ROME
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000374 
 
 
DAKAR FOR USAID/OFDA: RDAVIS AND SSOBOL 
ACCRA FOR USAID/WARO:  CBARRATT 
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA: A CONVERY, HPAPOWITZ, PMORRIS, SROGER AND 
AFR/AA 
USAID/W FOR AFR:  HSUKIN AND MHARVEY 
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/EPS 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH 
USUN FOR FSHANKS 
ROME FOR USAID/OHA HSPANOS 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC FOR J3/J4/J5 
SNC FOR JBRAUSE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI EAID AMED PGOV UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: DISASTER DECLARATION: MEASLES OUTBREAK 
 
¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 10. 
 
¶2. Summary:  The largest measles outbreak in Burkina Faso in over a 
decade is entering its 20th week and the total number of cases 
continues to increase with 3,812 new cases reported for the most 
recent reporting week.  The 34,451 total cases reported to date have 
already exceeded the 1996 outbreak which recorded 32,415 cases. The 
largest concentrations of measles cases are in the one to four year 
old group (24 percent) and in the 15 to 24 year old group (23 
percent).  High levels of acute malnutrition and other chronic 
illnesses including the possibility of an H1N1 influenza outbreak 
increase the risks associated with measles.  With no end to the 
epidemic in sight, the Government of Burkina Faso lacks the capacity 
to purchase vaccines required to implement a large scale measles 
vaccination campaign as outlined in recently revised WHO protocols. 
The Charge d'Affaires therefore declares that a disaster exists in 
Burkina Faso and requests USD 250,000 for the procurement of 
urgently needed vaccines.  Funds would be provided to the United 
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to procure vaccines and vaccination 
supplies. End Summary. 
 
----------------------------- 
Scope of the Measles Epidemic 
----------------------------- 
 
¶3. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization 
(WHO) began formally tracking the current measles outbreak on 29 
December, 2008.  Since that time, the total number of reported cases 
has continued to increase with 3,812 new cases reported for the most 
recent reporting week (week 18) making this the most serious measles 
outbreak in over a decade. Since the beginning of the outbreak, a 
total of 35,451 cases have been recorded with 250 deaths for a case 
fatality rate of 0.0071 percent.  The number of cases in this 
outbreak has already exceeded the 32,415 cases recorded in the 1996 
epidemic. 
 
¶4. This year's measles outbreak has impacted all age groups, 
particularly children between one to four years old (24 percent of 
cases) and young adults from 15 to 24 years old (23 percent of 
cases).  According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health 
(MOH) and UNICEF, between 85 and 90 percent of all reported cases 
occurred in unvaccinated individuals.  Seventeen percent of children 
0-11 months of age who contracted the disease had been previously 
vaccinated, as had 20 percent of 1-4 year and 28 percent of 5-9 year 
olds. 
 
------------------- 
Aggravating Factors 
------------------- 
 
¶5. According to experts, complications from the measles are most 
likely to occur in children under age five and adults over 20 years 
of age.  In addition, children with poor diets or weakened immune 
systems are at greater risk of developing complications.  Measles 
can also weaken victims' immune systems for up to six months. 
Current Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates in BF are at critical 
levels (11.4 percent rural, 12.4 percent urban).  Thus, children who 
are already experiencing critically high rates of acute 
malnutrition, malaria, intestinal parasites, and diarrhea face 
increased risks from these and other life threatening conditions 
(including the possibility of an H1N1 influenza outbreak). 
 
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Current Response and Plan for Future Action 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. To date, the response to this year's epidemic has been through 
traditinal case management procedures administered primarily by the 
MOH with limited treatment provided by  number of NGOs. This 
response has helped contro the mortality rate and limited the 
development f certain complications; however, it has not slowe the 
spread of measles. 
 
¶7. In order to stop th spread of the disease, a plan for a large 
scale vaccination campaign targeting the most affected areas has 
already been developed and adopted by the MOH, WHO, and UNICEF. 
This vaccination plan implements a newly adopted WHO protocol that 
uses mass vaccinations to control a measles outbreak. However, the 
GOBF lacks the financial resources to purchase vaccines and other 
supplies required to carry out the campaign; and has called on the 
international community for assistance. 
 
¶8. Under the plan, a vaccination campaign covering all people age 
six months to 24 years old will be undertaken in the nineteen health 
districts with the longest lasting and highest measles and mortality 
rates.  Eighteen other health districts will be targeted for 
selective vaccinations given to children from 6 to 59 months who 
have not previously been vaccinated when they arrive at health or 
vaccination centers.  The vaccination campaign will be carried out 
by the MOH, which according to WHO and UNICEF, has a proven record 
of conducting large scale vaccination campaigns including 
inoculating seven million people against Yellow Fever.  Under the 
plan, all measles vaccinations are scheduled to be administered 
during a five day period. 
 
¶9. According to UNICEF, in addition to the vaccination campaign, an 
investigation of the current outbreak is planned and is tentatively 
scheduled to be conducted by a joint UNICEF/CDC/WHO team from 10 May 
to 20 May. 
--------------- 
Action Required 
--------------- 
 
¶10. Based on a recent assessment of the ongoing measles epidemic and 
in response to a request by the GOBF for assistance, the Charge 
d'Affaires has determined that the outbreak in Burkina Faso is of 
sufficient magnitude to warrant U.S. Government assistance.  The 
Charge d'Affaires therefore declares that a disaster exists in 
Burkina Faso and requests USD 250,000 for the procurement of 
urgently needed vaccines.  Funds can be provided to the United 
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the procurement of vaccines and 
vaccination supplies. 
 
¶11. UNICEF will work in close collaboration with WHO and the MOH to 
ensure that the most vulnerable children and young adults in the 
most affected districts are vaccinated.  Together with USAID/OFDA 
staff, the Embassy in Burkina Faso will continue to monitor the 
current situation and report accordingly. 
 
LAEUCHLI